QU 104: Livin' The Life Session #1 just passed and so I thought I would share one of our snippets of discussion. Here you go:
Matthew 18:21-35 (New International Version)
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
7 times? That is 3 times the Rabbinic standard of 2. 3x2+1=7: Jesus said 70 times.
No limit. Why? Because to count to 7 you must keep track of the offences, you would be focusing on what had happened and not on forgiving. Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Difference between forgiving and tolerating.
Insight into Text:1 talent =about 1000 weeks of work. He owed 10,000 talents (like $10 million)
No amount of time is going to help.
Whole kingdoms paid Rome only 800 talents in taxes/year.
100 denarii =about $10
Acted in justice without grace, not the way that God acts toward us.
It is wicked to be forgiven $10 million debt and then not forgive a $10 debt.
V35 How we choose to forgive is how God will forgive us.
If you choose not to forgive you separate yourself from God.
Session #2 is on Thursday April 24th. Sign up and get involved.
G-ram
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